I want a vacation! This statement may mean more than all of us realize. Studies have recently shown that your well-being may depend on it.
The Conference Board, a private research firm, reports the number of Americans planning to vacation in the next six months is at a thirty year low. Their regular consumer survey indicates 39% of respondents were not considering a getaway next year either — the lowest figure since 1978. Public health consultants say this is a mistake.
In times of high-stress and job instability, we need a break. An ambitious research project that started in 1948 known as the Framingham Heart Study has made strides in isolating certain risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Three generations of study participants over twenty years routinely filled out questionnaires. Research data shows that women who traveled every six years or less were virtually eight times more prone to heart disease or heart attack.
There is a clear correlation between lifestyle and stress. A study published in 2000 involving 12,000 men over a nine year period had parallel findings. Men who did not vacation annually were 33% more likely to die of a heart attack and had a 21% risk of death from other causes. The facts also point to the effect vacations have on your mental health. Research scientists at the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin report the rate of depression increased as the frequency of vacations decreased.
This is real evidence that vacations are necessary to your physical health. It is time to rethink our vacation plans. As budgets tighten, it may be a good idea to consider all the options. The up-and-coming travel giant, MOR Vacations, recently announced a new product that may address the issue of family travel on a shoestring budget. Requesting the time off from work may be the only obstacle.
Almost 25% of Americans working in the private sector do not receive paid vacations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are 127 countries that mandate paid vacations. The U.S. does not. John de Graaf, executive director of the Take Back Your Time board, is lobbying Congress to pass the Minimum Leave Protection, Family Bonding, and Personal Well-Being Act that will mandate three weeks of vacation. It’s a tough sell to business, but more enticing than sick time because it is more predictable.
Economic indicators are still pointing downhill. Making up for the negative effects is necessary to our continued health. Allocating funds towards a lavish, tranquil vacation is even more compelling. We all have it coming.
A lifetime membership in a travel club may prove to be a good investment. Avoid timeshare scams that require yearly maintenance fees and long-term payment plans. Look for options that offer a one-time, up-front fee and a fully-transferrable lifetime membership. Unlimited guest passes without additional fees and a VIP upgrade for new members will provide even more value. A product such as this may increase your work-life balance and stretch your travel budget.
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